Detectives are carrying out searches of canal barges for a convicted sex offender wanted for recall to prison.
The searches include the Regent’s Canal through east London for 53-year-old Michael Crabb, who was released on licence in March under conditions following his conviction and nine-year sentence for child sex offences.
But Crabb is alleged to have “breached release conditions” by failing to notify a change of address and is now wanted on a prison recall, Scotland Yard said.
Crabb has links to the canal system and has sought refuge on barges in the past and may be travelling on the waterway network, say police. He was last seen near the canal system in the Uxbridge area the same day he was released, but has now gone missing.
Police are appealing for anyone who knows Crabbs’ whereabouts to contact detectives at Wandsworth on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555111.
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